Set in the misty Sierra Norte, Desafío en las Nubes serves up a fiercely beautiful weekend of mountain running on February 20–22, 2026. Runners choose from 15 km, 25 km, 40 km, or 50 km, each course threading coffee country and cloud-forest singletrack, with river crossings, muddy switchbacks, and long climbs that bite. Expect big elevation gains, humid conditions, and sections where poles and surefootedness pay dividends. Start/finish action centers around Xicotepec de Juárez, where the festival vibe, local support, and sharp cut-offs keep the day electric from first horn to last headlamp. It’s a demanding test piece—equal parts jungle grit and mountain grandeur.
Races
At 8:30 a.m. on 21 February 2026, the Micro DEN 15K offers the shortest but still serious challenge of the event in Xicotepec, organised by UTMX®. With about 15 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain, this race is perfect for strong short-distance trail runners or first-timers ready to taste steep climbs, foggy forest and the intense atmosphere of one of Mexico’s most iconic mountain races.
The Mini DEN 25K begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 21 February 2026, again from Xicotepec de Juárez, run by UTMX®. Over 25 km with around 1,650 m of climb, it delivers a concentrated hit of Desafío en las Nubes: sharp ascents, lush jungle trails and ridge-line views that reward every metre of effort.
Also on 21 February 2026 at 6:30 a.m., the Medio DEN 40K starts in Xicotepec under the same UTMX® organisation. With about 40 km and 2,900 m of elevation gain, this brutally beautiful route compresses big-mountain effort into a shorter format, sending runners up misty ridges and down technical descents in the Pueblo Mágico’s cloud forest.
On Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 6:00 a.m., the Ultra DEN 50K sets off from Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico, organised by UTMX® (Ultra-Trail de México). Covering 50 km with roughly 3,750 m of elevation gain through cloud forest, steep technical singletrack and endless climbs, it’s one of the toughest mid-distance ultras in Mexico’s trail calendar.
Weather based on historical averages.
FAQs
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
At 8:30 a.m. on 21 February 2026, the Micro DEN 15K offers the shortest but still serious challenge of the event in Xicotepec, organised by UTMX®. With about 15 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain, this race is perfect for strong short-distance trail runners or first-timers ready to taste steep climbs, foggy forest and the intense atmosphere of one of Mexico’s most iconic mountain races.
The Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K is 15km long.
The Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
The Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K elevation gain is 1000 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
At 8:30 a.m. on 21 February 2026, the Micro DEN 15K offers the shortest but still serious challenge of the event in Xicotepec, organised by UTMX®. With about 15 km and 1,000 m of elevation gain, this race is perfect for strong short-distance trail runners or first-timers ready to taste steep climbs, foggy forest and the intense atmosphere of one of Mexico’s most iconic mountain races.
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K is 15km long.
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K take place?
The Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K elevation gain is 1000 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Micro DEN 15K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
The Mini DEN 25K begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 21 February 2026, again from Xicotepec de Juárez, run by UTMX®. Over 25 km with around 1,650 m of climb, it delivers a concentrated hit of Desafío en las Nubes: sharp ascents, lush jungle trails and ridge-line views that reward every metre of effort.
The Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K is 25km long.
The Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
The Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K elevation gain is 1650 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
The Mini DEN 25K begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, 21 February 2026, again from Xicotepec de Juárez, run by UTMX®. Over 25 km with around 1,650 m of climb, it delivers a concentrated hit of Desafío en las Nubes: sharp ascents, lush jungle trails and ridge-line views that reward every metre of effort.
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K is 25km long.
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K take place?
The Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K elevation gain is 1650 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Mini DEN 25K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
Also on 21 February 2026 at 6:30 a.m., the Medio DEN 40K starts in Xicotepec under the same UTMX® organisation. With about 40 km and 2,900 m of elevation gain, this brutally beautiful route compresses big-mountain effort into a shorter format, sending runners up misty ridges and down technical descents in the Pueblo Mágico’s cloud forest.
The Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K is 40km long.
The Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
The Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K elevation gain is 2900 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
Also on 21 February 2026 at 6:30 a.m., the Medio DEN 40K starts in Xicotepec under the same UTMX® organisation. With about 40 km and 2,900 m of elevation gain, this brutally beautiful route compresses big-mountain effort into a shorter format, sending runners up misty ridges and down technical descents in the Pueblo Mágico’s cloud forest.
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K is 40km long.
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K take place?
The Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K elevation gain is 2900 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Medio DEN 40K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K take place?
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
On Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 6:00 a.m., the Ultra DEN 50K sets off from Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico, organised by UTMX® (Ultra-Trail de México). Covering 50 km with roughly 3,750 m of elevation gain through cloud forest, steep technical singletrack and endless climbs, it’s one of the toughest mid-distance ultras in Mexico’s trail calendar.
The Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K is 50km long.
The Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
The Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K elevation gain is 3750 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
What is the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
On Saturday, 21 February 2026 at 6:00 a.m., the Ultra DEN 50K sets off from Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico, organised by UTMX® (Ultra-Trail de México). Covering 50 km with roughly 3,750 m of elevation gain through cloud forest, steep technical singletrack and endless climbs, it’s one of the toughest mid-distance ultras in Mexico’s trail calendar.
How long is the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K is 50km long.
Where does the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K take place?
The Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K takes place in Xicotepec de Juárez, Puebla, Mexico.
What is the elevation gain of the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
The Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K elevation gain is 3750 metres, which Runna classifies as a Hilly race.
How can I prepare for the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
The best way to train for the next race is to use a personalised training plan that takes into account your current running ability, schedule, and preferences.
This will help you steadily improve your running performance and get ready for the race without risking an injury.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
How do I choose the right training plan for the Desafío en las Nubes Ultra DEN 50K?
Which plan you choose will depend on your experience, schedule, objectives, and the date of the race.
Runna offers personalised training plans for every runner and every goal: Whether this is your first, 10th or 100th race, we'll help you get the most out of your training and smash your goals.
Check out our training plans to find the best running program for your goals!
This event listing is for informational purposes only. Runna is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Desafío en las Nubes or Ultra Trail Mexico Series. All event details are based on publicly available information and are provided solely to help users discover running events. Runna does not use any official logos, images, or proprietary content from this event or its organiser. Any trademarks or names mentioned are used descriptively to identify the event in a factual manner. For the most accurate and up to date information (including to register or purchase an entry to the event), please visit the Desafío en las Nubes website.
